Process for the solidification of petroleum.



. G.GERARD. PROCESS FOR THE SOLIDIFIGATION 0F PETROLEUM.

V APPLICATION TILED MAB-.22, 1912.

1,9 53 1 9, Patented, Jan 27, 1'91;

bases tin-irate s'rairns rnrnnr ormcn CHARLES GERARD, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUI VI.

PROCESS FOR THE SOLIDIFICATION OF PETROLEUM.

resa es.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

Application filed March 22, 1912. Serial No. 685,616.

To (11210710111515 may concern Be it known that I. Crmnnns GERARD, a subject of the'liing of Belgium, residing at Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes for the Solidification ofPetroleum, of which the following is a specification.

- Th s invention relates to a process for the solidificatidn ofcrude petroleum and other solidification of petroleum, which processes are generally based upon the saponification, resinificatiomnr the treatment of petroleum with starch; These objections are well known f petroleum not being sufficiently of the furnace.

in trade and principally arise through the by the material which has served to form a starchy paste therewith and thereby runs when put in the fire.

With the object -of remedying this defeet, my invention is mainly based upon the use, in combination with petroleum and with fecula serving to form a starchy paste therewith, of a certain quantity of hot water the function of which may be explained as follows: I

' When petroleum is formed into a starchy paste by mixing itiwith bodies or of-fecula according to the ordrthe residues of fatty nary methods it has been found that the mixture becomes consistent upon cooling and the petroleum does not run. As soon, however, as the fuel is put in the fire, the petroleum liquefies and runs into the ash pit On the contrary, if, at the moment of mixing the petroleum with fecula a certain brought to boiling point is interposed, 1t will be found that under the action of the boiling water a swelling of the grains of the fecula will be produced and these can then at once absorb the water an'd the petroleum After coolingv the starchy paste thickens and neither the heating in the enveloped I quantity of hot water heated vessel, adapted to contaln crude pemixer used for the manufacture. of agglomeratedfuel nor the heat of the furnace will reliquefy the petroleum, that is to say, ex pel it from the grains of fe'cula by which it is, so to speak, enveloped. The petroleum then burns in a perfect manner and without running. i I 1 In carrying out the invention I proceed as follows: The crude petroleum to be treated is placed in a steam-heated vessel and is therein brought to a suitable temperature, for example, to about 25 to 30C.

A second vessel, heated by means of steam brought to boiling point andmaintained at boiling temperature by suitable heating. A third vessel contains the fecula usedin theformation of'the starchy paste.- employment -of these three vessels is combined with theu'se of a mixing apparatus provided with an agitator. Into this mixing apparatus is poured a certain quantity of fecula coming from the third vessel abovementioned-and, through suitable pipes connecting the mixer withthe'two first vessels a certain quantity of\petroleu1n and boiling water are allowed to flow into themixer, the agitator of which is in motion. Fecula,

petroleum and boiling water are afterward according to the result which it is desired to obtrin. When the mixture is sufficiently intimate it is removed from the mixer and a more or less thick product is thus obtained which solidifies upon cooling. This product can be employed directly as 'fuel or can be mixed by any known process with suitable solid materials so as to form agglomerated fuel. Afterward stearic, palmitic oleic or other residues can be added ence being made to the drawing which showsv diagrammatically, in front elevation, an apparatus sultable for carrying the invention into practlce.

In the drawings, 1 is a suitable steamtroleum.

2 is a, second steam-heated vessel, containing water, and 3 is a vessel containing.

fecula. v I

4 is a mixer provided with an agitator 5 mounted on a shaft or by a fire, contains water which is successively added in varying. proportions to the mixture according to known data.

The I 515 6 adapted to be rov tated by suitable gearing 7 and 8. The

mixer is provided with a. steam-jacket 9 (shown in dotted lines), steam being admittedthrough a valve 10 and a pipe 11, while the condensed steam is allowed to espe t r ugh a pipe 12 provided with a valve 13. I

The vessels 1 and 2 are provided with steam-jackets to which lead the inlet and outlet steam-pipes (not shown) by means of "which the petroleum and water may be heat- For the manufacture of 100 kgs. if mix ture:

.(1.) Pour into the mixer 1 10 kilos of flour, (rye-wheat, barley, etc., o'r other fecula) and set the agitator in motion.

(2.) Let boiling water run on to this fiour through pipe 15' and valve 17 until the starch constitutes a mass. of the consistence of soft soap. Continue to mix in order that the whole may be perfectly smooth.

(3.)At this moment a small stream of pe troleum (heated to 25 to 3O" C.) to flow into the mass through pipe 15 and valve 16: in such quantity that it will be absorbed as fast as it arrives. '(eh) Open the steam valve of the mixer so as to heat the paste and cause the grains of fecula to swell. Let a little boiling Water (about liter) run in .from time to time.

' This operation should be continued in this manner until the quantity of petroleum has arrived at its maximum. Fora paste to mix with solid fuel up to the proportion of 25 per cent, about 100 kilos of mixture with 10 kilos of flour and 10 to kilos of water will be obtained; there will therefore be about 7 5 per cent. of petroleum in the mass.

If a. mixture is required to be employed palniitic, etc.) that is to say, materials which congeal in coolingfas vwellas 15 to 20 per.

cent. of coke-dus -There is no danger ofeXplosion with the products .obtained or the agglomerated na- .terials manufactured, by means of this 'product, the petroleum being really confined in the starchified material.

Hai ing thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The improved process for the solidifilcation of a hydrocarbon consisting in causing the grains ofa suitable flour or fecula to swell in hot water, and then incorporating a hydrocarbon in said grains, substan tially as described.

2. The improved process for the solidification of a hydrocarbon consisting in heating water, then mixingwith said water a certain quantity of fecula and adding to the mixture a hydrocarbon at a temperature-of about to substantially as described. 1

3. An improved process for the solidification of a hydrocarbon consisting of heating separate quantities of water and a hydrocarbon, .successively' pouring portions of said heated water and hydrocarbon upon the fecula and thoroughly mixing the m ass, said heated hydrocarbon and water being poured in varying proportions whereby a more or less thisk product is obtained. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. CHARLES GERARD. lVitnesses JACQUES SELER, CHAS. ROY NASMITH.

of residues of fatty bodies (stearlc, oleic, 

